Events

Auburn Tourism: For special events in the Auburn area, visit the website: www.auburntourism.com.

Quota Cares Western Days: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. March 16, Reber Ranch, 28606 132nd Ave. SE, Kent. Free event is for families with special needs children to come and enjoy Western-themed activities, including pony rides, a petting zoo, hay tractor rides, a roping contest, face painting, arts and crafts, family pictures. A free hot dog lunch is included. For more information, visit www.quotakentvalley.com

Tacoma Spring Wedding Expo: March 23-24, Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall, 2727 East D St. Hours: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Tips and trends in fashion, food, entertainment, flowers and décor to connecting with hundreds of local wedding professionals; gown sales; fashion shows. Admission: $17. Two-for-one admission available, along with more details, at www.bridesclub.com

Kids’ Day: 10 a.m.-noon, March 30, Green River Community College, Lindbloom Center,12401 SE 320th St., Auburn. A celebration of kids. Face painting, a visit from the Easter Bunny, Easter egg hunt, games, cotton candy. Enjoy a special performance by B. Vogan and his Good Buddies. Free. For more information, visit www.greenriver.edu

Sixth annual Spring Fairy Festival: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. April 13, Green River Community College, 12401 SE 320th St., Auburn. Day of art, music and dancing with a frolicking fairy and fantasy theme. Admission: $15 for adults, $5 for children (5-12), seniors (65 and older) and students with ID; 4 and under free. For more information, visit www.springfairyfestival.com.

24th annual Spring Fair: April 18-21, Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 Ninth Ave. SW, Puyallup. Hours: 2-10 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. Wide range of activities, from baby animals to the Aussie Kingdom show, and Motorsport Mayhem with monster trucks and demolition derbies to the Garden Show, plus 4-H and FFA students showing animals in the Northwest Junior Livestock Show. The dancing horses at Fiesta Mexicana, plus 400 exhibit booths selling their wares are also highlights. Tickets: $10 adults; $7 students (6-18 years); children 5 and under free. Parking is free. Visit www.thefair.com for more information.

Easter

Journey to the Cross: 7 p.m. March 14-17, Auburn Adventist Church, 5010 Auburn Way S. Celebrate the Easter season with the indoor, dramatic Easter musical. Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is free, but tickets are required to attend. Every person/child occupying a seat needs a ticket; 650 available ticket reservations nightly. For more information, visit www.auburnacademychurch.org.

Benefits

YMCA pillowcase drive: Through April 15, Auburn Valley YMCA, 1620 Perimeter Road SW. Collecting fun pillowcases for children undergoing treatment at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. Donors can buy a pillowcase from the store or use their imagination to sew, embroider or decorate one. Happy Hands Club will be collecting  pillowcases and delivering them to Mary Bridge.  The goal is to collect 1,000. For more information, call Christine Gifford at 253-833-2770, ext. 7563, or cgifford@seattleymca.org.

Bunco Night with AAEOP: 6:30 p.m. March 15, Dick Scobee Elementary School, 1031 14th St. NE, Auburn. Auburn Association of Educational Office Professionals’ third annual scholarship fundraiser. Want to register to play?  Visit the events page at www.auburnaeop.org or call Ann Gilbert at 253-931-4984. We encourage graduating seniors to apply for educational scholarships.

Yard sale: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 15; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, 416 2nd Ave. SE, Pacific. Proceeds benefit the Committee to Recall Cy Sun and Protect Pacific Votes. For more information e-mail recallcy@gmail.com.

Auburn Senior Activity Center rummage sale: March 22-23, senior center, 808 Ninth St. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Anyone interested in donating items for the sale should bring them to the senior center beginning March 19. Call 253-931-3016 for pickup or more information.

ARHS Booster Club Auction: 5-10 p.m. March 23, Green River Community College,“Come Sail Away” event benefits Auburn Riverside student activities, clubs, sports and scholarships. Tickets: $35. To order, contact auction chair Kristie Ayers at 206-255-5811 or kristie@kristieayers.com.

The Auburn Mountainview Booster Club Auction – “Off to the Races”: 6-10 p.m. March 29, Emerald Downs, 2300 Emerald Downs Drive. Money raised supports the school’s clubs, sports and activities, in addition to scholarships and InvestED. Auction tickets $35 (buffet dinner, silent and live auction). Donations for auction are appreciated. A tax deduction letter is available. Please send donations to: AMHS, 28900 124th Ave. SE, Auburn, WA 98092 – c/o AMBC 2013 Auction. 0eFor more information, contact Tracy Arnold at 206-679-8929 or tracyarnold@comcast.net.

Bus Barn Bonanza: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 6, Auburn School District Transportation Yard, 615 15th St. SW. Featuring arts and crafts from local artists and business people. Free to the public. A $10 vendor fee supports the Auburn High School seniors scholarship fund. The bonanza is open on the first Saturday of every month, March to June, October to December. For more information, contact Janie Bartro at 253-227-7789, or visit www.busbarnbonanza.com.

Spring Teriyaki Chicken Dinner and Bake Sale: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. April 21, White River Buddhist Temple, 3625 Auburn Way N. Fundraiser.  Dinner is served cafeteria style or takeout. Sale includes mochi and manju, pies and other homemade goodies. For more information, visit www.wrbt.org

Empty Bowl event: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. April 26, Grace Community Church, 1320 Auburn Way S., Auburn. Attendees at the gathering will have the opportunity to purchase a handmade soup bowl by students and professional potters for a minimum donation of $15. Customers will have a choice of soup from among those donated by local restaurants and schools. Proceeds will support the Auburn Food Bank.

Health

Cascade Regional Blood Center drives:  8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. March 21, West Auburn High School, 401 W. Main St.; 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. March 26, Auburn Mountainview High School, 28900 124th Ave. SE. For more information, call 1-877-242-5663 or visit www.crbs.net/home.

Puget Sound Blood Center drives:  10 a.m.-noon, 1-4 p.m. March 16, The Outlet Collection, bus by the Burlington Coat Factory, 1101 Supermall Way; 1-3 p.m., 4-7 p.m,. March 18, Messiah Lutheran Auburn, 410 H St. NE; 9-11 a.m., noon-3 p.m. March 27, Zones, Inc., 1102 15th St. SW; 10 a.m.-noon, 12:45-4 p.m. April 5, Boeing Auburn (employees only), 700 15th St. SW;  9-11 a.m., noon-3 p.m. April 12, MultiCare Auburn Medical Center, Plaza 1, 202 N. Division St.; 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-5 p.m. April 17, Social Security Auburn, 1901 C St. SW.  For more information, call 253-945-8667 or please visit www.psbc.org.

City of Auburn’s Domestic Violence Task Force seminar: 1:30 p.m. March 21, Auburn City Council Chambers, 25 W. Main St. Seminar on mental health. Guest speakers are Manka Dhingra, deputy prosecuting attorney, who will speak about the Regional Mental Health & Veterans’ Court, and Barbara Guerrero, a social worker from Auburn MultiCare. Free to the public. The task force is a community action organization committed to justice, accountability and safety through collaboration, education and prevention of domestic violence. For more information, call Shelly David, domestic violence legal advocate at 253-931-3072, or email at sdavid@auburnwa.gov.

Stroke, osteoporosis screenings: March 26, Neighborhood Chapel, 209 M St. NE, Auburn. Packages start at $159. All five screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-697-9721 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com. Pre-registration is required.

Gamblers Anonymous: For meeting times and locations, call toll free the Gamblers Anonymous Hotline 1-855-222-5542. Visit www.gawashington.org or www.gamblersanonymous.org for additional information.

Clubs

Striped Water Poets: Meets every Tuesday, 7- 9 p.m., at Auburn City Hall, 25 W. Main St. A roundtable critique and welcoming of new poets.

Auburn Morning Toastmasters: Meets every Thursday morning, 6:30-7:30, Auburn Chamber of Commerce, 108 S. Division, Suite B.  Learn the fine art of communication and public speaking in a friendly supportive atmosphere.  Visitors are welcome. For more information, call 253-735-1751.

Rainier Audubon Society: Meets 7 p.m. March 18, Federal Way United Methodist Church, 29645 – 51st Ave. General discussion and a presentation by Dennis Paulson entitled “Birds and Natural History of Costa Rica”.  Newcomers are welcome.

Auburn Green Valley Prospecting Club: Meets 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of  each month, The River Estates Community Center, 3611 I St. NE, Auburn. Club promotes recreational prospecting, camaraderie and education with members, local organizations and youth groups throughout the Puget Sound Region.  Affiliated chapter of The Gold Prospectors Association of America. Offers places for individuals and families to go to prospect, local support, free information services. Membership is free and open to anyone who is interested in prospecting for gold or other precious minerals, metal detecting or rock hounding.  For more information,  call 253 833-2255 or visit  pnwgpaa.com/Washington/Auburn/Calendar.

Faith

Family History Expo “Who Do You Think You Are?”: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. March 16, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Star Lake Meetinghouse, 28616 48th Ave. S., Auburn. Family and ancestors made us who we are today. Find their stories, find yourself. Guest speakers, exhibits, lunch. Guest teachers will lead classes on a variety of family history subjects. Cost: $3 suggested donation for lunch. For more information, contact Annette Pratt at 253-941-8204, aneatap@comcast.net.

Body and Mind Seminar: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 16, White River Buddhist Temple, 3625 Auburn Way N. Are you looking for peace and harmony of body and mind? What about good health, spiritual enrichment and relief from stress? Wear comfortable clothes that allow free movement and bring a mat or rug or towel to these interactive classes to stretch your body and ease your mind. Limited to 45 students. Registration deadline is March 10. Cost: Gift donation of $20 to $200. Visit www.wrbt.org for registration form or more info.

Libraries

Auburn Library, 1102 Auburn Way S. 253- 931-3018.  Library events include:

CHILDREN & FAMILIES

Monday Toddler Story Times: 10:15 a.m. March 18, 25. Ages 2 to 3 with adult.

Monday Preschool Story Times: 11:15 a.m. March 18, 25. Ages 3 to 7 with adult.

Wednesday Infant Story Times: 10 a.m. March 20, 27. Ages newborn to 24 months with adult.

Spanish Story Times: 10:15 a.m. March 16, 23, 30. All young children welcome with adult.

Play & Learn: 10:30 a.m. March 26. Newborn to age 5 with caregiver. Have fun singing songs, telling stories, reading books, creating art and playing.

TEENS

Teen Zone: 3:30 p.m. March 20, 27. Snack, hang out, study, play video games and pick up a good book.

Study Zone: 3 p.m. March 19, 26; 5 p.m. March 18, 25; 6 p.m. March 13, 20, 27. Grades K-12. Drop in for free homework help from trained volunteer tutors.

Teen Book Speed Dating: 4 p.m. March 18. Spend a minute with several books to find your true book love to take home.

Teen Book Club: 4 p.m. March 19. “We Were Here” by Matt de la Pena.

Meet the Authors: 3:30 p.m. March 20. Megan Bostic (“Never Eighteen”), Helen Landalf (“Flyaway”) and Kim Derting (“The Bodyfinder” series). They will share from their books, talk about writing and answer your questions. An opportunity to meet the authors, purchase books and have your books signed will follow.

Monday Afternoon Movie: 3 p.m. March 25. Enjoy movies and popcorn at the library.

ADULTS

Book a Librarian: Free 30-minute appointments to help you with your information needs. Please come to the library or call 253-931-3018 to make an appointment.

English as a Second Language (ESL) : 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. A formal class to learn English grammar, reading, writing and conversation skills.

Computer classes: Sign-up at the Information Desk or call 253-931-3018. • Introduction to Computers, 10 a.m. March 16; • Microsoft Publisher, 10 a.m. March 20; • Facebook Basics, 10 a.m. Monday, March 25; • Microsoft Word Level 2, 10 a.m. March 30.

Genealogy Assistance: 1 p.m. March 20. Volunteers from South King County Genealogical Society will be available to answer your questions.

AARP Free Tax Help: 3:30 p.m. March 19, 26. For taxpayers with middle and low income, with special attention to those age 60 and older. Stop by or call the library to register.

Drop-In to Learn about eBooks: 3 p.m. March 17. Get started with KCLS eBooks! Bring your eReader, tablet, phone or just your questions.

A Place at the Table: KCLS invites everyone to find A Place at the Table. We’ll toss around fresh ideas about food, cooking, nutrition and growing and using locally produced food. In addition to offering new food ideas, preparation and planning skills, and handy online classes, videos and resources, the series will help everyone create a nourishing table by accepting non-perishable food donations, to be distributed to local King County food banks. www.kcls.org/cooks.

======

Algona-Pacific Library, 225 Ellingson Road, Pacific. 253-833-3554. Library events include:

CHILDREN & FAMILIES

Toddler Story Times: 10:15 a.m. March 12. Ages 2 to 3 with adult.

Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m. March 12. Ages 3 to 5 with adult.

Spanish Story Times: 6:30 p.m. March 12, 19. All young children welcome with adult.

TEENS

Teen Zone: 3 p.m. March 20, 27. Stop in to play Xbox, PlayStation and Wii games, get online, do homework, hang out or read a book.

Study Zone: 6 p.m. March 18, 20, 25, 27. Grades K-12. Drop in for free homework help from trained volunteer tutors.

Digital Storytelling: 3:30 p.m. March 12, 19, 26. Learn how to create your own digital story using pictures, photographs, and a story that you narrate. This class will take place over four weeks. Please bring a flash drive with any photographs that you would like to use.Limited to the first six participants.

ADULTS

Book a Librarian: Free 30-minute appointments to help you with your information needs. Please come to the library or call 253-931-3554 to make an appointment.

Computer Class: Registration required. Please sign up at the Information Desk or call 253-833-3554. • One-On-One Computer Assistance, 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m. March 18.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESL): 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Presented by Green River Community College. A formal class to learn English grammar, reading, writing and conversation skills.

Algona-Pacific Page Turners: 7:30 p.m. March 20. “Anthem” by Ayn Rand.

A Place at the Table: KCLS invites everyone to find A Place at the Table. We’ll toss around fresh ideas about food, cooking, nutrition and growing and using locally produced food. In addition to offering new food ideas, preparation and planning skills, and handy online classes, videos and resources, the series will help everyone create a nourishing table by accepting non-perishable food donations, to be distributed to local King County food banks. www.kcls.org/cooks

======

Muckleshoot Library, 39917 Auburn-Enumclaw Road SE., Auburn. 253-931-6779. Library events include:

COMPUTER CLASSES

Looking to sharpen your technology skills?:  If you’re interested in attending a class, please call 253-931-6779.

Network

Auburn Area Chamber “Connecting for Success” Breakfast: 8-9 a.m., the first Wednesday of every month. Sponsored by the Auburn Chamber of Commerce. Cost: $5, includes continental breakfast. Auburn Area Chamber Board Room, 108 S. Division, Suite B. 253-833-0700.

Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce Partnership Luncheon: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., the third Tuesday of every month, Emerald Downs, Emerald Room (fourth floor), 2300 Emerald Downs Drive.  Register online through the chamber.

14th Annual Greater Auburn Area Career Conference: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. March 27, Emerald Downs, 2300 Emerald Downs Drive. For more information, contact Pegi Moll, 253-833-0700.

Reunion

Auburn High School class of 1953:  July 20, Truitt banquet room, 102 W. Main St., Auburn. 60th reunion. Open bar 4-5 p.m., dinner at 5. Cost: $35 per person. Casual dress. For more information, contact Carolyn Kremer at 253-838-0362, Bob Hostetter at 360-432-3774, or Joy Hurlburt at 360-426-4260.  Contact either no later July 5.

Seniors

Auburn Senior Activity Center, 808 Ninth St. SE. 253-931-3016 or www.auburnwa.gov. Senior activities include:

• Senior Coffee Hours with the Mayor and Councilmembers: 10-11 a.m. the second Thursday of the month.

• Lunch: Monday-Friday, Salad bar begins at 11:30, Main meal is served at noon. Cost: $3 donation for ages 60 and over, $5.75 for those younger than 60.

• Movie Screenings: Wednesdays, 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. 50 cent suggested donation for refreshments.

• Monday Supper Club: 4:45-6 p.m. One Monday a month. Call 253-931-3016 for date and menu. Cost: $6 for all ages.

• Meals on Wheels: Senior services’ program offers home-delivered meals to home-bound seniors. For more information, call the center at 253-931-3016.

• Hiking Group 50+: Do you like the outdoors? Are you looking to get some more exercise? Don’t like to hike alone? Then we have the group for you. The group hikes 3-5 times a month throughout the Puget Sound region. The hikes range from 3-7 miles and are from easy to moderate. Please call 253 931-3016 for more information.

Museums

White River Valley Museum

Located at 918 H St. SE, Auburn. Regular admission: $2 adults, $1 seniors and children. Admission is free on Wednesdays and the fourth Sunday of the month. Call 253-288-7433 or visit www.wrvmuseum.org for tickets and event information.

Exhibits

I Do! Traditions of the American White Wedding: Through April 14 –  I Do! Traditions of the American White Wedding. Exploring the histories and myths surrounding the customs of the American white wedding. Events: • Textile Preservation for Wedding Gowns: 7-8:30 p.m. March 12. Registration required at www.wrvmuseum.org or at 253-288-7439.

Japanese Heritage, Washington Artists: April 24 – July 28. Nihon/WA invites viewers to experience a wide spectrum of work created by artists of Japanese heritage in the Puget Sound region and see how each has chosen to include or step beyond heritage and history in their own content and style. Events: • Asian Brush Calligraphy Workshop, 6-7:30 p.m. April 30.  Award-winning artist Lois Yoshida will teach students to work with the traditional tools of bamboo brush and sumi (ink).  In addition to Asian characters, students will learn to write their names in Japanese. $20 per student, registration required. • Family Day: Art of Japan, noon-4 p.m. May 11. Visit the exhibit and enjoy free activities throughout the museum. Activities included with regular admission. • Japanese Kite Workshop: 1-2:30 p.m. June 15. Master kite maker and artist Greg Kono will teach kids of all ages how to make a flyable giant coffee filter kites. All materials will be provided. $20 per student, registration is required.

OTHER MUSEUM EVENTS

• Late Play Date: 6-8 p.m. April 24. Celebrate the start of spring with fun crafts and activities at the museum including Victorian silhouette portraits. Perfect for families with kids age 3-12. Admission and activities are free; no registration required.

Railroad Lecture Series: 6:30-9 p.m. April 5. Second of a three part annual lecture series by the Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association. Open house at 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the museum; slideshow and lecture at 7:30-9 p.m. at the Auburn Senior Activity Center, across from the museum. Cost: $5 adults; $4 for children and seniors.

Galleries

Auburn City Hall:  Exhibit, through March 26, Working with various printmaking techniques as well as clay sculptural objects Monika Dalkin is inspired by everyday objects and daily rituals. Admission is free. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. 253-931-3043 or www.auburnwa.gov.

Auburn Valley Creative Arts Gallery: 108 S. Division St., Auburn. Hours:  10 a.m.-2 p.m., Wednesday-Friday; noon-4 p.m., Saturday. www.facebook.com/auburnvalleycreativearts. AVCA monthly meetings: 7 p.m., second Tuesday of each month.  Board meetings are at 5:45 p.m. Open to anyone wishing to volunteer and help steer AVCA to future goals.  Program lineup: • April 9, Mike Greely (photography); May 14, Greg Watson (American Raku pottery).